Search age:

Search in:

Pietersen in Sixers' sights

James MacSmith

Kevin Pietersen could play for champions Sydney Sixers in this summer's Big Bash Twenty20 tournament, after Pakistan refused permission for Umar Akmal to turn out for the Champions League winners.

Akmal was only announced as a Sixers' recruit on November 7, but on Friday the Pakistan Cricket Board ruled he, Shahid Afridi (Sydney Thunder) and Saeed Ajmal (Adelaide Strikers) would have to take part in a domestic T20 event ahead of the tour of India instead of the Big Bash.

The news has disrupted the Sixers' preparation for their title defence and chief executive Stuart Clark said he would be targeting an international replacement for Akmal, with Pietersen a possibility.

"We have heard the news (about Akmal) but haven't received any official word yet so we are trying to work out what is happening," Clark told AAP on Friday.

Advertisement

"They are international commitments so what can you do about it?

"Akmal was only going to play three of four games, not the whole season. But he is a world class player and we would like to replace him with one. We have just added Michael Lumb and we could bring him forward and Kevin Pietersen is a possibility. But you would have to look at the window to see whether he fits.

"Put it this way, we will scour the world to see who fits."

Pietersen was recalled to the England side for this week's first Test against India in Ahmedabad following being dumped from the team after sending provocative text messages to South African players during their recent Test series.

England's tour of India is broken up over the Christmas break between December 22 and January 11, opening the door for Pietersen to make a cameo with the Sixers, as the Big Bash continues over that period, especially if he is not needed for the second half of the tour.